4 Things Most People Don't Know About Male Infertility

When folks hear about a couple’s struggle with infertility, many automatically assume the difficulty lies with the female partner. However, male infertility contributes to or causes about 40% of infertility cases.

At CARE Fertility in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas, our skilled and compassionate medical experts understand how often men are overlooked in the fertility conversation. Here are some of the surprising things people don’t know about male fertility. 

1. Male infertility is common

Infertility isn’t solely a women’s health issue. Data show that one-third of cases are linked to the male partner, one-third are linked to the female partner, and one-third involve both or the cause is unknown. 

Women often blame themselves when pregnancy doesn’t happen, but fertility challenges can stem from either partner or both. That’s why we complete infertility workups for both partners so we can identify the underlying cause and create the best plan for helping you grow your family. 

2. It’s more than sperm count

Low sperm count is a well-known cause of infertility, but there’s more to sperm health than numbers. 

Sperm motility (movement) and morphology (shape) also affect its ability to fertilize the egg. Low motility makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg in time to fertilize it. 

Sperm shape may not have as much of an affect on fertility as movement or number, but having more normal shaped sperm (with an oval head and long tail) increases your chances. 

3. Lifestyle is a major factor

Pre-pregnancy consultations for women often emphasize a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition, regular exercise, and abstaining from smoking and alcohol. Men don’t typically see their doctor before starting a family and may not realize how their lifestyle habits affect their ability to conceive. 

Obesity, poor nutrition, and use of recreational drugs like nicotine and alcohol affect sperm and semen quality, making conception more challenging.

Men need to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and manage their weight to improve fertility and chances of conception. 

4. Medical conditions affect male infertility

Underlying medical conditions also affect male fertility such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and autoimmune disorders. Sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea may also affect fertility, as well as cancer treatments and testicular trauma.

Swollen testicle veins, a condition called varicoceles, is also a common cause of male infertility. Similar to varicose veins, varicoceles cause blood to pool and enlarge the scrotal veins. The pooled blood changes increases testicular temperature, disrupting sperm production and quality. 

We’re here to help

Conception depends on many factors, and male fertility is a critical part of the equation.

If pregnancy isn’t happening despite your best efforts, don’t wait to seek help. At CARE Fertility, we provide male infertility testing and treatment to uncover the cause and guide you toward the right solution. 

Call us at 817-924-1572 or send a message online. You can also use our online appointment request tool.